Local male shuttlers fail on GP Finals second day

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's men's singles crashed on the second day of the 1997 Lipton World Grand Prix Badminton Finals at the Senayan Indoor Stadium yesterday.

1992 Olympic gold medalist Alan Budikusuma failed to overcome young Chinese shuttler Luo Yigang and lost 13-18, 14-17 in a 60- minute match.

Alan, who has gained three kilograms since marrying national shuttler Susi Susanti, said he could not perform well as his physical condition was deteriorating.

"I could not attack aggressively, especially in the second set because I forced myself too much in the beginning," he said.

"However, Luo is a young player and he chased for the shuttlecock everywhere. He's not easy to kill," he added.

Indra Wijaya, the Singapore Open finalist, failed to upset the 1996 Olympic gold medalist Poul-Erik Hoyer-Larsen of Denmark. He lost 11-15, 1-15 in a 35-minute match.

Hoyer-Larsen will meet Indonesia's old hand Hermawan Susanto today.

Marlev Mainaky, the Indonesia Open finalist, also failed to overcome Sun Jun of China, who won the World Cup in Yogyakarta in August, and lost 8-15, 9-15.

The Thailand Open winner Hendrawan lost to the World Champion Peter Rasmussen of Denmark 15-6, 4-15, 13-15 while Budi Santoso lost to world number one Peter Gade Christensen of Denmark 12-15, 17-18.

Indonesia Open winner Ardy B. Wiranata had to yield to Chinese Dong Jiong, the All England winner and former world number one, 13-15, 4-15.

None of Indonesia men's singles shuttlers have more than a slim chance of qualifying for the semifinals although they all still have one match today.

But in the women's singles, Indonesia's Susi Susanti and Mia Audina successfully overcome their rivals.

Susi beat Zhang Ning of China 11-6, 11-6 while Mia had to stretch herself to beat Wang Chen of China 12-9, 7-11, 12-9.

Susi meets Dai Yun of China while Mia challenges Dane Camilla Martin today.

"With the win, I have a better chance of going through to the semifinals," Mia said.

In the mixed doubles, Tri Kusharjanto and Minarti Timur of Indonesia upset the defending champion and top seeded Liu Yong/Ge Fei 17-14, 12-15, 15-2 in 63 minutes.

This was Tri/Minarti's first victory in three meetings with Liu/Ge.

"I think they didn't fully concentrate to win the match. I think they only wanted to go through to the semifinals no matter what the results today," Tri told a post-match press conference.

"In the first set, when we were leading 14-8, I was very nervous and I rushed myself. Fortunately, we slowed our playing rhythm and keep ahead to take the set 17-14. The Chinese played all out in the second set but they looked very tired in the third set and made many unforced errors."

"We've been discussing our strategy to overcome them. The most dangerous player is Ge Fei. As long as she didn't get the shuttlecock, it was OK."

Tri/Minarti now meet compatriots Imam Tohari/Emma Ermawati, who beat Michael Soogard/Rikke Olsen of Denmark 14-18, 15-9, 15- 2.

"I don't think our juniors will give up on purpose. They'll fight their best to go through to the semifinals," Minarti said. (yan)

Results

Men's singles: Sun Jun (Chn) bt Marlev Mainaky 15-8, 15-9 Luo Yigang (Chn) bt Alan Budikusuma 18-13, 17-14 Poul-Erik Hoyer-Larsen (Den) bt Indra Wijaya (Ina) 15-11, 15-1 Peter Rasmussen (Den) bt Hendrawan (Ina) 6-15, 15-4, 15-13 Peter Gade Christensen (Den) bt Budi Santoso (Ina) 15-12, 18-17 Dong Jiong (Chn) bt Ardy B Wiranata (Ina) 15-13, 15-4

Women's singles: Susi Susanti (Ina) bt Zhang Ning (Chn) 11-6, 11-6 Mia Audina (Ina) bt Wang Chen (Chn) 12-9, 7-11, 12-9 Kim Ji-hyun (Kor) bt Yao Yan (Chn) 11-5, 0-11, 12-10

Mixed doubles: Tri Kusharjanto/Minarti Timur (Ina) bt Liu Yong/Ge Fei (Chn) 17- 14, 12-15, 15-2 Imam Tohari/Emma Ermawati bt Michael Soogard/Rikke Olsen (Den) 14-18, 15-9, 15-2 Bambang Suprianto/Riseu Rosalina (Ina) bt Chris Hunt/Donna Kellogg (Gbr) 17-14, 15-7 Jens Eriksen/Marlene Thomsen (Den) bt Sandiarto/Finarsih (Ina) 15-9, 15-9